As with most who write about history, no one can do it alone. I want to thank Mr. Steve Teeft, noted local Civil War historian and Director of the Echoes Through Time Civil War Museum and learning center located in the Eastern Hills Mall. Williamsville New York and to that of the late Benedict R. "Ben" Maryniak, noted local Civil War historian & author and well known and respected Buffaloian. They have been an inspiration to me.
The American Civil War was not simply blue vs. gray. Not simply North vs. south. This epic war touch everyone on different levels. Just being from the north did not mean you thought only of the Union. Id did not mean you were for or against slavery or states’ rights. This was in the truest sense of the words, a Civil War. Although civil it was not.
Then there was the New York town that belonged to the Confederate States of America.
Anyone who has dabbled in history knows of the draft riots in New York City and that the potential of the city seceding from the union, not to join the south but rather to become neutral leaving it able to deal and trade with both warring sides. This was not the case for all of New York.
The town in question is sometimes known as "Two Rod" - The real name is Town-line , NY
Primarily it was a German community and rested on the northern edge ofLancaster
In 1861, many of the southern states, left the Union and joined the Confederate States ofAmerica Union . It was rumored that many of the men in town had left to join the Confederacy (documents show 12 out of 100 males of enlisting age, who did serve). There were only 100 souls over the age of 21.
Primarily it was a German community and rested on the northern edge of
In 1861, many of the southern states, left the Union and joined the Confederate States of
The reasons are unclear but an article in the Buffalo, New York Newspaper from 1945 cite discontent with President Lincoln’s, treatment of confederate soldiers at a POW camp in Elmira, the interest of self rule or perhaps an incident by some runaway slaves at a local underground railroad stop. It was also reported that Town Line sent five men through the union lines to fight for the Confederate States under General Robert E. Lee. Other reasons stated were that they were unhappy with being forced to comply with President Lincolns request for 75,000 men and refused to comply. Being that most of their German community had recent left the OLD country, because of strife, and being a farming community, they were troubled. There were a number of men who did join the Union army (about a dozen, documented).
By 1864, most of the residents who succeeded in town were being badly harassed (terrorized as it was described), and packed up the plantation and their homes, and moved to a settlement in St. Catherine’s,Ontario , Canada
When the WBTS ended, things went somewhat back to normal, just a few returned families that lived in the area.
It wasn’t until it was brought up about the 1920's (from the town advisor in Alden) that Town-line was not paying taxes, and was still technically "out of theUnion ", but nothing was done about it.
It came up again in the 1930's and again in 1945. The town had formed a special committee to do something about it, and this special committee chairman even wrote President Truman about their problem.
By 1864, most of the residents who succeeded in town were being badly harassed (terrorized as it was described), and packed up the plantation and their homes, and moved to a settlement in St. Catherine’s,
When the WBTS ended, things went somewhat back to normal, just a few returned families that lived in the area.
It wasn’t until it was brought up about the 1920's (from the town advisor in Alden) that Town-line was not paying taxes, and was still technically "out of the
It came up again in the 1930's and again in 1945. The town had formed a special committee to do something about it, and this special committee chairman even wrote President Truman about their problem.
The President gave them some advice: {paraphrase: Why don’t you run down the fattest calf in Erie County, barbecue it and serve it with fixins, and sort out your problems}
They voted in Dec 1945 and they vote failed again, but in Jan 26, 1946, the persons living in Town-Line, NY officially re-joined the Union, some 26 days after the last two southern states (Mississippi & Alabama), officially joined. By rejoining this madeTown-line , NY
The town made national news, and held a party to celebrate their rejoining and had severalHollywood starts came out (Cesar Ramaro "the joker" among others).
Today, the residents can still find reminance of the Secession around. The large fire hall, onBroadway Road (Rt 20) has a unique patch that they where on their arm, that reads....
They voted in Dec 1945 and they vote failed again, but in Jan 26, 1946, the persons living in Town-Line, NY officially re-joined the Union, some 26 days after the last two southern states (Mississippi & Alabama), officially joined. By rejoining this made
The town made national news, and held a party to celebrate their rejoining and had several
Today, the residents can still find reminance of the Secession around. The large fire hall, on
"Last of the Rebels 1861-1946, Town Line, NY - Fire Dept" and their fire equipment has a saying over there department logo that states "Rebel Rescue". and on their shoulder patch.
The desk where the signing of secession and rejoining still exist at the Alden, NY Historical Society.
They may have not left the Union for the same reasons as the other southern states (that being states rights), but they did believe in town rights - and held out longer than any other state or former Confederate community.
The desk where the signing of secession and rejoining still exist at the Alden, NY Historical Society.
They may have not left the Union for the same reasons as the other southern states (that being states rights), but they did believe in town rights - and held out longer than any other state or former Confederate community.
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